Nationalism and patriotism are rampant in Russia. The Interpreter has been following many stories that indicate that this sentiment is often manifested in unhealthy policies. Russia has threatened its neighbors for wanting to join the European Union, it has used immigration law as retribution for disloyalty, and it has used pogroms to crack down on ethnic […]
Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is in prison, serving a two year sentence for “hooliganism.” She has just ended a hunger strike because of poor health, but below is the translation of her statement that she will return to hunger striking if her demands are not met. For more information on the hunger strike read […]
As the U.S. government shutdown continues, the Russian media hasn’t been shy about weighing in. Yesterday we published an article in the pro-Kremlin outlet Ria Novosti entitled “The American Government Doesn’t Exist – For Now,” where the author asked, “will tanks shoot at the Congressional Building?” This piece, published in the liberal outlet, “Snob,” is […]
Several employees of Kommersant, an organization with deep Kremlin ties, have been fired for publicizing unauthorized quotes from Putin’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. The offending quote suggested that Vladimir Putin was afraid to even mention opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s name in case it gave him free publicity. Putin has repeatedly spoken about Navalny without mentioning […]
The world is paying attention to the shutdown of the American government. Below is an enlightening explanation, meant for a Russian audience, of the political background that led to the shutdown, as well as some commentary. Of note is the likening of this crisis to the 1993 Russian coup. It was published in the state-owned […]
A Moscow court has decided that the results of the september mayoral election will stand, thus dismissing the complaints brought forward by opposition candidate Alexei Navalny. Most notably, the court decided that President Vladimir Putin did not break campaign laws when he gave an interview the week of the election where he suggested that Navalny […]
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, member of the punk rock band Pussy Riot, has ended her hunger strike after 9 days. Nadya was transferred to a prison hospital last week, and is reportedly in bad health. On September 28th, her lawyer, Irina Khrunova, told Novaya Gazeta that Nadya is in danger inside the prison, and is hunger striking […]
Russia has been in a trade war with Ukraine after the latter moved to enter the European Union instead of the Russian-made alternative, the Customs Union. In response, the Russian government has blocked imports from Ukraine, and even threatened to deport workers with Ukrainian accents, moves that have further isolated Russia from central and western […]
A new system would pay Moscow officials an extra 20,000 rubles (approximately $620) for extra work done at their places of employment, including work done in the community, and landscaping. However, there are allegations that this reward is, in operation, just a bribe for loyal officials – Ed. Cash rewards paid to the most active […]
The press secretary of the head of state speaks about Vladimir Putin’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, the conflict in Syria and relations with the opposition and photoshops of the president. Dmitry Peskov, deputy head of the presidential administration and press secretary for the head of state spoke to Izvestiya correspondent Aleksandr Yunashev on […]
